Electric switch.



6. 8. THOMAS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED mmzs. 1913.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

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[gage nfoz $51 6115x112? I GEORGE B. THOMAS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BRYANT ELECTRIC COIVIIIE'ANY', OF BRIDG-EPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- NECTICUT.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

Application filed March 28,1913. Serial No. 757,361.

and residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification I 'The present invention relates to electric switches and particularly to switches of a type adapted for use in an electric lamp socket, the object of my invention being to provide an eflicient and simple switch device of large capacity operative upon a quarter turn of the usual switch key and designed to effect a quick make and quick break of the switch circuit.

In the accompanying drawing my inven tion is illustrated in a switch installed in a lamp socket and in which Figure 1 is a broken vertical section through a lamp socket showing the switch in closed position; Fig. 2 is a plan of the lower button B of the switch body, showing the switch mechanism arranged thereon and in a positlon of unstable equilibrium; Flg. 3 is an inverted plan of the upper button A of the switch body; Fig. 4 is a perspective of the switch mechanism detached and in a position of unstable equilibrium; and Fig. 5 is a perspective of the switch frame alone.

The lamp socket in which my improved switch is here embodied comprises the usual cap and shell 11 through which projects the switch operating key 12 and provided with an insulating lining 13. WVithin the casing is mounted the socket body of insulating material and here comprising upper and lower independent buttons A and B recessed on their meeting faces to form the switch chamber C. The usual screw shell lamp terminal 14 is mounted upon the outer face of the button B and is held in position by securing screws 15 which pass longitudinally through both buttons and engage in threaded apertures in the usual crescent shape strap 16, which overlies the base flange 17 of the screw .shell. The latter is constantly in the switch circuit through the wire terminal '18,. the securing screw for which passes throu h the button B and engages the strap 16. he other wire terminal 19, likewise carried by the button B, is electrically connected to the switch terminal 20 by the arm 21 of the latter, which is angled. beneath the base of the terminal 19. switch terminal 22 is preferably formed in one with the center contact 23 of the lamp socket, and is held in position by the rivet 24. The aperture 25 in the button B permits the projection of the terminal 22 through the button and into its proper position in the switch chamber. The switch piece 26 is formed as a yoke pivoted at its open end upon lugs 27,'struck from the upright 28 of the frame piece 29, which is rig idly held in position by the countersunk screw 30 passing through the button B. An oscillating movement is imparting to the switch piece 26 by the switch spring 31 mounted upon the plunger 32 and confined between the head 33 of the latter at one end, and thestrap 34 which unites the arms of the yoke, the latter being perforated at 35 to permit the free passage of one end of the plunger 32 therethrough. The head of the plunger is pivoted in a recess 36 eccentric to the center of rotation of the cam 37 which is fast at one end to the spindle 38 journaled in the uprights 28 and 39 of the frame, at right angles to and in the plane of the axis of oscillation of the switchpiece. Rotary motion is imparted to the spindle 38 from the key 12 through gearing here shown in the form of pinions 44 and 40, the latter rotating with the switch key 12 and having twice the number of teeth as pinion 44. The switch key 12 is provided with a stub spindle 41, journaled in the lugs 42 and 43, struckfrom the frame 29, and the pinion is mounted to rotate with the key 12.

The operation of the switch is readily un derstood. Upon the actuation of the switch key 12, the spindle 38 is driven, through the pinions 4:4 and 40, at a speed twice that of the switch key 12, by reason of the two to one ratio of the pinions. Consequently upon a quarter rotation of the key 12, a full half rotation is imparted to the spindle 38, and consequently to the cam 37. fast on the end thereof. The rotation of the cam through a half circle swings the head 33, of the plunger 32 from a point lying on one side of the axisof oscillation 'of the switch piece 26 to the other side of said axis, with the result that the pressure of the spring 31, which was exerted against the switch in one direction, is now exerted in the opposite direction, and thus imparts a sudden oscillation to the switch niece into either make or The cooperating break position. This sudden oscillation of the switch piece is secured upon turning the key 12 in either direction, since" it is immaare slightly arcuate in form. This is not es--- sential to the operation of the switch in the manner described, noris their particular-location the only one which can be made. Various modifications of the structure will readily suggest themselvest I claim as my invention An electric switch comprising an oscillat- 7 ing switch piece and a rotary spindle lying at an angle to the'axis of oscillation of'the switch piece for controlling the oscillation thereof, in combination with a rotary actuating' key and gearing operatively, interposed between the latter and the switch operating spindle to impart switch actuating rotation to said spindle upon a quarter turn of the switch key. I p

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

g GEORGE B. THOMAS. WVitnesses: a r

H. M. l/VIOHERT, H. H. JONES.

comes of this patent may be obtained for save cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of'Pat ents, Washington, D. 0. 

